Previews

IndyCar Series 2005

Spiffy:

Online competition; highly realistic AI.

Iffy:

Serious sim only for the hardcore; little pit interaction.

Just like NASCAR, Indy racing has always been a sport loved by the faithful and utterly misunderstood by everyone else. Accordingly, Indy simulations are all or nothing affairs -- either you enjoy racing 50-plus laps around an oval, making small changes to secure a win, or you don't. No amount of arcade sensibility can change the equation very much, and any deviation from realism deters the faithful.

Hence we have Codemasters' upcoming IndyCar Series 2005. Developed by Brain In A Jar, the same team that brought last year's Indy effort, this is very much a continuation of the last game, with online play and some tweaks to bump up the realism. Bearing the only official license handed out by the league, ICS features 15 real-world tracks (including Pike's Peak, Japan's Twin Ring Motegi Speedway and of course that sandlot in Indiana) as well as drivers and sponsors drawn from your favorite TNN, err Spike!, broadcasts.

As with last year's game, the focus is on long-haul strategy, regardless of play mode. While a handful of modes grace the menus, they all boil down to running from one to a hundred laps on oval tracks, so those looking for Gran Turismo-style versatility are advised to seek elsewhere. If that sounds like a great thing, however, better yet is that ICS '05 can handle up to 33 cars on the tarmac at once, making for dense races. There is a Masterclass narrated by big shot Indy rookie Dan Weldon to bring newbies up to speed for the full racing season, culminating at the Indy 500.

Made of plastic?

In practice, the claim is borne out, and the AI seems well-tuned to handle the subtleties of jockeying for position that makes Indy racing what it is. I found a few impressive surprises as I was slapped to the back of the pack by a dark horse who realized it's time had come. Unexpected shifts in fortune should be more common in the Expert and Pro difficulties, where a few extra strategic tricks are available. Adjust suspension dampers, spring rates and tire pressure. The returning favorite from last year is the ability to manipulate your fuel mixture mid-contest, which can give an extra speed boost or bit of tank longevity in the long dark teatime of the race. Rear view mirrors have been added as well, so taking a look back doesn't involve awkward camera switching.